In an interview with AdvocateDaily.com, Adams says, “Patrick Smith accepted responsibility for his acts from the outset. The only issue was the degree of culpability."

Yorgiadis adds, “We maintained, and still do, that the death was carried out during a chemically-fueled attack of panic and rage, and that Patrick Smith never intended the death of the victim and failed to appreciate that what he did might result in her death."

Assistant Crown attorney Janet Booy referenced Smith’s video interrogation where he described to police putting the victim in a sleeper hold going down the stairs and wrapping a head scarf around her neck, the Spectator article says. When she wouldn’t be quiet, he “punched and kicked her” until she stopped moving, it continues.